Method and apparatus for automatic channel switching for iptv

Abstract

A method of providing automatic channel switching for IPTV is disclosed. The method includes: authenticating a user having an IPTV service profile upon receiving an indication that the user has powered on the user's IPTV viewing device; downloading the user's IPTV service profile from a subscriber database; retrieving the user's IPTV-related calendar data from a Calendar Server and storing the IPTV-related calendar data in a local database, wherein the calendar data includes the exact date and time at which the user wants to watch at least one IPTV broadcast on an IPTV viewing device; transmitting IPTV content to the user's IPTV viewing device through a set-top box; and changing the channel on the IPTV viewing device automatically based on the user's calendar data.

1 . A method of providing automatic channel switching for IPTV, the method comprising:
 authenticating a user having an IPTV service profile upon receiving an indication that the user has powered on the user's IPTV viewing device;   downloading the user's IPTV service profile from a subscriber database;   retrieving the user's IPTV-related calendar data from a Calendar Server and storing the user's IPTV-related calendar data in a local database, wherein the calendar data includes the exact date and time at which the user wants to watch at least one IPTV broadcast on an IPTV viewing device;   transmitting IPTV content to the user's IPTV viewing device through a set-top box; and   changing the channel on the IPTV viewing device automatically based on the user's calendar data.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subscriber database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber charging server address data, and Initial Filter Criteria, wherein the Initial Filter Criteria indicates whether the user has subscribed to integrated Automatic Channel Switching service for IPTV. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber info data, subscriber billing account data, available IPTV channels data, and PTV-related calendar data. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the user's IPTV viewing device via a SIP-based distribution network. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user's IPTV service profile includes Initial Filter Criteria that indicates the user has subscribed to Automatic Channel Switching Service for IPTV. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: at the time as scheduled in the user's calendar, retrieving the downloaded calendar data from the local database or receiving a reminder from the Calendar Server directly. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for providing automatic channel switching for IPTV, the apparatus comprising:
 a subscriber database; and   an IPTV application server operative to:   authenticate a user having an IPTV service profile upon receiving an indication that the user has powered on the user's IPTV viewing device;   download the user's IPTV service profile from a subscriber database;   retrieve the user's IPTV-related calendar data from a Calendar Server and store the user's IPTV-related calendar data in a local database, wherein the calendar data includes the exact date and time at which the user wants to watch at least one IPTV broadcast on an IPTV viewing device;   transmit IPTV content to the user's IPTV viewing device through a set-top box; and   change the channel on the IPTV viewing device automatically based on the user's calendar data.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber subscriber charging server address data, IPTV channels data, and Initial Filter Criteria, wherein the Initial Filter Criteria indicates whether the user has subscribed to integrated Automatic Channel Switching service for IPTV. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the local database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber info data, subscriber billing account data, available IPTV channels data, and PTV-related calendar data. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the user's IPTV viewing device via a SIP-based distribution network. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the user's IPTV service profile includes Initial Filter Criteria that indicates the user has subscribed to Automatic Channel Switching Service for IPTV. 
   
   
       14 . A system for providing automatic channel switching for IPTV, the system comprising:
 authenticating means for authenticating a user having an IPTV service profile upon receiving an indication that the user has powered on the user's IPTV viewing device;   downloading means for downloading the user's IPTV service profile from a subscriber database;   retrieving means for retrieving the user's IPTV-related calendar data from a Calendar Server;   storing means for storing the user's IPTV-related calendar data, wherein the calendar data includes the exact date and time at which the user wants to watch at least one IPTV broadcast on an IPTV viewing device;   transmitting means for transmitting IPTV content to the user's IPTV viewing device through a set-top box; and   changing means for changing the channel on the IPTV viewing device automatically based on the user's calendar data.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber name data, subscriber profile data, IPTV registration data, subscriber charging server address data, IPTV channels data, and Initial Filter Criteria, wherein the Initial Filter Criteria indicates whether the user has subscribed to integrated Automatic Channel Switching service for IPTV. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the local database stores one or more of the following types of data: subscriber info data, subscriber billing account data, available IPTV channels data, and PTV-related calendar data. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the database comprises a Home Subscriber Server (HSS). 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the IPTV application server interfaces with the user's IPTV viewing device via a SIP-based distribution network. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the user's IPTV service profile includes Initial Filter Criteria that indicates the user has subscribed to Automatic Channel Switching Service for IPTV.